It was recently reported by a reporter of the Associated Press, January 31, 2008, that a 10-year old girl gave birth in Cincinnati. As a mother this news turned my stomach and got me so mad, I just had to write a note to all you adults out there. The prosecutors in Cincinnati suspected the boyfriend of the young girl's mother to be the baby's father; a 40-year old who is now in jail on another charge. My goodness this mother did pick a good one eh!

The question today is: What is happening in our homes? Do we know were our children are and what they are doing or who they are with? Do we know the people we are bringing into our homes? Are we allowing too much privacy without parental control and monitoring?

Moms and Dads, please think twice before you walk out that door away from your family. Think about the welfare of your children and make an effort to work things out before you throw in the towel. I am not encouraging you to stay in abusive, destructive relationships, but a lot of times couples close the door without thinking twice about their commitment to children or the vows they made.

Women be careful who you get involved with and be a better judge of character. Give yourself some time before you bring these individuals into your homes and around your children. As the old saying goes, "take time to know him, it's not an overnight thing". Remember it's not just the young girls at risk for abuse anymore, but the young boys as well. Sometimes it is much better to 'tough things out' rather than rush into another difficult relationship that produces result like this horrible one reported here. No young child should have to go through this.

Who do I blame here? Without knowing the mother's full situation, it is hard to blame her totally. However, especially as mothers, we have to talk to our children and encourage them to confide in us. How could my partner abused my young child under my roof and I did not know about it? We have to be like the FBI in our homes. Find it before any other individual do. I know it is popular in some North American homes for parents to give too much privacy to children, but I believe firmly this should not be so. We must know what is going on in our homes and our children's lives! In the school and church or any where we send our children, we must know what is going on and who they are with. If not the possibility of trouble is just too high.

CONCLUSION: Just remember as the saying goes, "it takes a village to raise a child". Essentially what that means is: teachers, social workers, health care workers, preachers, neighbors, friends, family, everyone, we have to be on the look out for the children in our care and around us. We have to be our brother's keeper in that way, no child will be left behind!

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